Dishwasher



. 6.. E. STOCKHAM DISHWASHER '5 sheets-sheet 1 Filed June 19, 1936 y 1942- I G. E. STOCKHAM 2,284,025

DISHWASHER Filed June 19, 1936 5 SheetS -Shee't 2 May .26, 1942., a. E. STOCKHALM- DISHWASHER Filed June 19, 1936 5 She ets-Sheet s rllll May 26, 1942. e. E. STOCKHAM 2,284,025

- DISHWASHER I Filed June 19, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 5/ 59.8. 36.4; I ml A] f2 May 26, 1942. G. E. srocmm 2, 2

DISHWASHER Filed Jim 19, 1936 s Sheets-Sheet 5 v Patented May 26, 1942 DISHWASHER Gordon Ellis Stockham. Piqua, Ohio, assignor to Piqua Products, Incorporated, Piqua, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application June 19, 1936, Serial No. 86,137

18 Claims.

This invention relates to dishwashers and more particularly to a dishwasher adapted for domestic use.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a dishwasher which is simple in construction and efllcient and rapid in operation, providing for the quick and efiective washing of dishes, glassware, and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dishwasher of this character which is light in weight and compact in size and easily portable so that it can be readily placed in convenient position for use, and removed to an out of the way position when not in use. It is a still further object of the invention to provide a dishwasher having means for rinsing the washed articles and the interior of the washer itself to obtain efiective clear water rinsing thereof quickly and efficiently.

It is a further object of the invention to provide rack means for holding the difierent types of dish ware and cutlery so as to be efiectively subjected to the action of washing and rinsing sprays.

It is a still further object to provide a dishrack showing the same in two positions of adjustment;

Fig. 11 is an end elevational view showing the rack in one position ofadjustment;

Fig. 12 is a partial and elevational view showing the rack in an alternative position of adjustment; and

Fig. 13 is a broken view showing the blades arranged in a spiral manner.

Referring to the drawings which show a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device.

-. also from the front toward the rear of the casmg at the low point of which there is located operated to closed position by means ofs'pring washer of this character including means for in section ,with the top cover removed from operative position;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on the 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of a rack structure as used in the present invention; 7

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view on the line E-S of Fig. 2; I

Fig. '7 is an end elevational view showing the discharge end of the device including the means for washing the cooking utensils;

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view on the line 8.-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view on the line 9-9 line Fig. 10 is a plan view of a modified form of such as upon or within the conventional sink,

and after use, can be returned to an out of the way position, leaving the sink and kitchen floor space free and unobstructed. A cover member 2| having a downwardly extending lip 22 adapted to fit within the open end of the side wall structure It serves to completely enclose the interior or the washing chamber. Handle 23 attached to the top of the cover 'provides for removal and replacement thereof.

Motive power means 25 comprising an electric motor is'positioned within the confines of the casing structure l0, so as to be entirely included within the casing of the device. This motor is mounted upon cross supports 26 attached to the base H, and an auxiliary casing 21 of cylin drical shape extending into the interior of the washing chamber serves to completely enclose the motor and to protect the same against the access of washing liquid. The motor and the casing thus extend inwardly of the device, and the arrangement of the elements within the washing chamber is correlated therewith and is such as to provide the most efiective and economical use of the interior space. Y

The motor has a shaft 30 which extends through an opening in the side wall of the casing and into an auxiliary casing structure 3|. This structure is formed by means of a plate which may be bolted as at 32 to the side wall of the casing, having a horizontal and vertical depending portion adapted to enclose and protect the motor shaft and the power driving mechanism associated therewith. If desired the casing may be open at the bottom as shown to provide for access to these parts. Also if desired the base structure and the casing 2'! may be formed as a unitary cast article, preferably of light rections, so that they will both operate in the same relative relationship with the adjacent side wall of the casing, and means are accordingly provided for reversing the drive for shaft 36. This comprises belt 40 and pulley 4| fixed to a stub shaft 42 mounted upon the casing. Shaft 42 also carries a gear 43 which has meshing engagement with a gear 44 mounted upon the end of shaft 36, thereby providing for the driving of shaft 36 in a reverse direction to that of shaft 36. Each of the shafts 36 and 36 is supported in a bearing member 46 positioned in the side wall casing ID in fluidsealed relation thereto. The bearing includes the joumal- 46 for the shaft and an extended sleeve bushing 41. Spring means 46 exerts a yielding pressure upon fluid sealing washers 43 which effectively prevents passage of liquid through the hearing.

A paddle wheel 66 is supported for rotation with each of shafts 36, 36, the paddle wheel be- 1n8 of substantial axial extent, preferably extending for substantially the entire lateral length of the casing. The paddles are located in'the lower opposite comers of the casing and serve for picking up the washing liquid and distributing it over and upon the articles to be washed. Each paddle is recessed to provide a bearing support for receiving the sleeve 41, and for also receiving the overhanging end of shaft 36; set screw 6| provides for fastening the paddle to the shaft in driving engagement therewith. Each paddle or impeller is supported at its opp site end in a suitable bearing 62 mounted on the wall of the casing.

In the embodiment shown the impeller comprises a plurality of blades 66, four in number, right angularly positioned with respect to each other. If desired the impeller may comprise a greater or lesser number of blades, although a four-bladed impeller has been found to give very satisfactory operating results. The width of each blade is preferably relatively small as compared with the axial length thereof. The actual width of the blade is coordinated with the'speed of rotation and thequantity of water acted-upon by the blades to provide the desired distribution of the washing water over the dishes.

Eachof the impellers i positioned adjacent a lowercorner of the casing and is supported in predetermined spaced relation with respect to both the side wall and the bottom wall of the casing. A semi-circular curved insert plate 66 is positioned adjacent each corner of the casing, and extends the whole length thereof, being suitably attached to the bottom wall and the side walls as by mean of welding or the like. If a cast base structure is provided, this passage may be cored and formed integrally with the base. This insertforms a passageway 6| between itself and the walls of the casing, extending the whole length of the impeller. The impeller is so positioned with respect to this insert that there is. a throttling passage 62 between the blade and the bottom of the container, this space being of controlled dimensions and providing for the control ofthe quantity of water which is picked up by the blade in its rotation. Each blade, rotating in the direction as indicated by the arrows, i. e. upwardly adjacent the casing walls approaches the insert 60 in it upward travel until at the horizontal-position of the blade there is only a small clearance between the end of the blade and the plate 60. Upon rotation of the blades in the direction indicated, water in predetermined quantity is picked up by each blade as it passes over the throttling passage 62. The predetermined quantity of'water which is thus picked up is cardoes not extend outwardly to the side walls of the chamber but is spaced therefrom as shown at 63 to avoid intercepting the upwardly travelling water. Instead of the impeller having fiat blades as shown, the blades may be formed in a spiral manner. The spiral may have only a slight lead, so as to have little or no effect upon the direction of travel of the spray, but suflicient so that a portion of the blade is entering the pool of col- .lected wash water continuously, thereby'providing uniform operating conditions at all times. Such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 13 where the impeller 60a has blades 55a arranged .in a spiral manner.

It has been found in accordance with the present invention that very satisfactory results are secured where the wash water is thrown upon the dishes in the form ofa finely divided spray travelling at relatively high velocity. Thus applicant has found that where the wash water is suitably broken up into a fine spray condi-- tion and in this form thrown upon and into the dishes, a highly effective washing action is secured upon dishes located throughout the entire chamber, and that even fragile glassware can be successfully washed without damage thereto.

-Thus fragile glasses or the like may be placed in position withinthe casing, and where the wash water is supplied in the controlled fine spray condition as described herein, a complete andefllcient washing is effected without lifting the glassware from its support, and without causing damage thereto. Furthermore effective cleansing of the entire interior of the chamber, rack, etc. is also obtained, so that a separate operation of washing the device itself is not necessary.

The impellers are preferably operated at a relatively high speedyand the quantity of water introduced along each element of length thereof is controlled and restricted as previously described. As a result, each impeller blade picks aaeacss up a limited quantity of water in the form of a thin sheet and throws the same upwardly and inwardly at high velocity. Travelling at high velocity and extending along bothsides ofv the chamber as a. film of limited depth, the water is caused to breakup into the form of a finely divided spray which completely fillsthe entire interior of the chamber so as to be eflective throughout the chamber. A light weight and fragile article subjected to the action of such spray is eflectively cleansed throughout without being lifted from its support or otherwise dama ed.

each of the impeller blades, in conjunction with the force of gravity, appears to initiate the feed the picking up of the desired quantity of water by the next following blade. In the use of a four bladed impeller it-is found that the blades bear the correct angular relation to each other to provide for such action. Each blade carries the regulated quantity of water, then discharges u.) lustably positioning cross rack bars 13 therein.

its water upwardly and inwardly of the chamber in the fine spray form desired.

In the normal operation of the device wash water is introduced as shown in Fig. 6 to about the level of the axis of the blade, the blades in their rotation being effective to throw the wash water throughout the interior of the container and into washing relation with articles placed therein. The wash water is continuously recirculated in the chamber andis used over again many times per minute.

For example, in a device which has been operated withentire satisfaction, the impellers are rotated with .a speed of substantially 1700 to 2000 or 2200 R. P. M. In this construction the blades had a radius of one inch, providing a peripheral speed of approximately '890 to 1150 feet per minute. With this construction a highly satisfactory washing operation was secured, the

water being thrown upwardly and inwardly in the form of a finely divided spray travelling into all parts of the chamber-but without suchmass and momentum as to cause damage. A complete washing of the dishes was secured within a few minutes, and even in the case where dishes had been allowed to stand for an extended period after use, an effective cleaning thereof was obtained with a somewhat longer operation. This example is given as illustrative of one embodi-.

ment which has been found to give satisfactory results. Other peripheral speeds have been satisfactorily used for instance up to 1500 feet per minute, and further the actual diameters and speeds may be changed as is well understood to provide a desired peripheral operating. speed which will introduce the washing fluid into effective washing relation with the articles in the described fine spray form. Furthermore the number of impeller blades and their spacing from the bottom of the chamber may be varied to further control the operation of the device.

Novel rack means indicated generally at I0 provides for supporting the dishes in suitable position within the containerfor washing thereof. This rack means comprises preferably a v dishes in close juxtaposition to the space 63- ation thereof.

built-up wire structure of simple and light weight form having provision for supporting the usual plates. cups and saucers, larger vegetable and-the like dishes, and silverware. Thus as shown the rack comprises a formed wire structure ll having a series of upper and lower right angularly bent steps '12, the outer wires of the,

upper series being provided with means for ad- The members I! are spaced sufilciently closely together as to provide adequate support for any type of article to be washed. with these adjust able cross rack bars 13 in place, a plate such as In a construction of the device such as that l. indicated may be located edgewise between a described, the downward and rotary motion of pair of these bars, being supported at its bottom by bars 12 forming the lower series of steps and by the fixed cross bars 11. Such fixed cross 'bars are preferably supported at opposite ends of the rack as'by being welded to stepped frame members.-v "As the lower stepped positions are filled, along the length of the rack, additional plates are then located upon theflhigher steps until the rack" contains the entire quantity of dishes, this stepped relation providinglfor the positioning of each series of plates so. as-to extend above the-adjacent lower series. Thus each row of plates intercepts a part of the upwardly sions which would not be received withinthe narrow confines formed by'the structure with the cross bars in position. Thus in Fig. 6 the cross bars are shown in use, while in Fig. 4 only two of the bars arein position, forming receiving spaces of substantial depth, capable of receiving vegetable dishes, deeper dishes, orthe like.

It has been found where the racksupports the through which the upwardly travelling water sprays pass, return water discharging from the face of the dish may intercept the upwardly travelling spray and impair the effective oper- To avoid such action a baflle plate 15 may be positioned along the lower portion of the rack. Such plate serves to prevent return water from the face of the dish from splashing into the upward path of travelof the spray, causing the discharge thereof backllntothe reservoir. Suitable means of this character may be provided on one or both sides of the rack as desired.

The rack is similarlyformedupon, the other.

side of the chamber comprising a right angular-'- ly bent frame structure 16 at either end of the rack to which cross bars 11 are fixed. Aseries of stepped bars 18 spaced along the rack correthat when removed dishes or articles of larger size may be placed in washing position in the rack. Or if desired the bar 19 may be positioned in the alternative position provided, thereby forming a plurality of spaces for the reception of smaller plates or similar articles having reduced depth The frame is also preferably formed in' substantially V-shape as shown at 83 to provide for receiving the silverware 84. This position is preferably located inwardlyfrom the side walls of this position for the washing of silverware and the ,like, and this provision of the means for washing the silverware thus does not detract from the usable space nor interfere with the proper positioning and er articles.

, The rack means also is constructed to-provide a.support for cups, glassware and the like; This comprises the frame structure 86 forming a .plurality of V-shaped supports 81 and 88 within which are respectively positioned the cups 89 and the glassware 98. Bars 9| locatedat the opposite ends of the frame provide for retaining the articles therein and preventing the falling thereof out of proper position in -the rack. Also as shown the rack means provides for the support of these articles in a tilted position, pointing generally inclined downward, and 'suitablefor the access of the washing sprays.

As shown this rackmeans-8B is pivotally mounted upon the cross bar 92 and can be swung toward the left a'sshown in Fig. 6, in order to freely expose the lower portion of the compartment for the loading and unloading thereof. After placing the dishes in proper position on the rack, the frame 86 is then swung to the oper'able position as shown in which position it is supported by engagement of cross bar 83 upon thefslopingframe members 94. It-is then filled with the glasses and cups, etc. which will then beheld in proper operative position and-in such distribution as to'be subjected over their entirety to the action of the washing sprays. Y

. There is further provided a means for efl'ectively rinsing' the-dishes, providing for a highly effective cleaning of all grease and like-particles from the dishes quickly and with a minimum use of fresh rinse water. The rinse water is supplied d rectly to the impellers for distribution in line spray form. into and upon the dishes. Pro-V vision is made for supplying the rinse water to the blades without previously-coming in contact with. any portion'of. the chamber, so that a spray, of fresh water uncontaminated by the particles of food etc. upon the bottom of the chamber, is immediately effective in the rinsing operation. Rinsewater may be drawn from a tap I88 by means of fiexiblehose IN and supplied to the pipe lines I82, I83. .Each pipe line supplies water through a water tight bushing I88 in the wall of the washing chamber to one of the elongated passageways 6| formed between late 88 and the adjacent side wall of the chamber. The plate 68 is provided with a series of perforations I85 positioned along its longitudinal extent, andllocated above the bottom of the impeller blades. ,Preferably these apertures are directed toward theaxis of, theimpellers, and are positioned ;so .as' to discharge streams of water diregtlyinto thesurface of each of the blades'as it rotates upwardly-L These streams are picked li'gzb fihe rapidly rotating: blades, before therehas-been any contact with the bottom of the container, and thrown upwardly in the form of finearrangement of "the larg- I described for the washing operation. The outlet valve remains open during the rinsing operation so that the rinse water continually runs out and thus only fresh water is showered over the dishes. They are thus quickly and efficiently rinsed and there occurs also simultaneously therewith 'a rinsing of the entire interior of the chamber itself. If desired the washing chamber may be initially filled with wash water to the desired level by means of this same hose connection, the outlet valve being closed and the motor and the impellers preferably remaining stationary. Soap and the like is then added, and with the dishes in place, the cover is fitted in operative position and' the impellers operated as described above. Alternatively the wash water may be poured directly into the chamber.

Means are also provided for washing cooking utensils such as pots and pans and the like, and for other purposes. For this purpose, one of the impeller shafts is provided with a drive pinion. II8, upon the interior of the. chamber, preferably at the end containing the discharge valve I4. The pinion is housed within a casing III, which also houses a gear II2, suitably journalled therein. The gear carries a connecting member I I3 upon its axis and extending through the housing. A flexible cable Ill having a cooperating connecting member, such as of the bayonet type, is adapted to be removably positioned for driving engagement by gear H2 at reduced speed. The cable carries at its other end a handle portion H5, and a socket member 8 capable of detachably receiving a desired cleaning brush, etc., I".

Additional means may be provided for effecting further reduction in speed. Such means may comprise pinion I28 on the shaft of gear II2,

- meshing with gear 'I2I, also provided with a socket member E22. This gear may be suitably journalled on the outer housing wall. And in order to provide an oscillating action suitable for use with a bufllng member for cleaning and polishing silver and the like, gear I2I may be provided with a connecting rod I28 pivotally fastened at one end to its face and at the other to the face of disc I24, also journalled in the housing. Disc I 24 carries suitable connecting means I25 for receiving the flexible shaft, and

provides for giving an oscillating motion thereto.

4 mechanism .is preferably located at the discharge end of the machine, and adjacent the discharge outlet I3. It is thus in position for cooperation with the stream of water which is.

discharged from the container following the washing of the dishes. The cooking utensil may be held in position adjacentthe discharge opening so as to receive water therefrom and may be effectivelycleaned by means of the operation of ly-,divided spraysin a manner similar to that the rotating brush I8I thereon. And at'theend of this cleaning operation continued flowing'of the rinse water will provide effective rinsing means for completing the washing of such uten- In Fig. 10 there is shown a modified construction of rack; In accordance with this construction the rack comprises the main end frame members I38 atopposite ends of the rack, these frame members being bent into suitable stepped relation. correspondingly shaped lower frame members It provide for the reception of cross supporting members I32. The horizontal stepped portions of the upper and lower frame members are providedwith means for supporting the adjustable cross bars I33. this supporting means in a hook member it'i. The hook members are loosely received within eyes i 38 fixed to the lower frame portion 13!. This construction provides for lifting each of the adjustable cross bars from its normal position of adjustment within the brackets Md and moving it forwardly to provide a larger sized aperture. The right hand portion of Fig. 10 and Fig. 12 show thearrangement of these parts in their adjusted position to provide a pair of larger openings. Stepped supporting members I39 provide for supporting the bottom of the dishes. The rack may also comprise the heme plate means M as previously described and the pivoted supporting means I for hollow ware and the like.

A similar construction is utilized on the other side of the rack, there preferably being provided a fixed cross bar M2 provided with a plurality of curved sections and an adjustable bar its removably held in the bracket members I44. The bar is formed integrallyv with the downwardly extending part M5 loosely fitting within the eyes M6. Thus in the position shown in the left hand portion of Fig. the cross bars form a pair of spaces for receiving dishes and the like, and in.

the right hand portion of Fig. 10 the parts are in the position providing a single larger sized re ceiving aperture.

While the method herein described, and the form of apparatus for carrying this method into effect, constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise method and form of apparatus, and that changes may be made in either without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A washing machine of the character described comprising a washing chamber having a side wall and a bottom wall, means adjacent the lower portion of said side wall and extending along the length thereof forming a passage- -way, a rotary impeller extending axially for substantially the length of the side wall, a plurality of blades rotated by said impeller, means for rotatably supporting said impeller adjacent the lower portion of said side wall and substantially adjacent said passageway, and means for supply- -ing fresh rinse liquid to said passageway, said passage having apertures therein through which said rinse liquid is discharged directly into said blades to provide an effective clear water rinsing.

2. In a washing machine of the character described having a washing compartment, the combination of means for effecting a rinsing operation comprising an impeller extending substantially along the length of said compartment adjacent the lower portion thereof and having a plurality of blades thereon, means for rotating said blades at high speed to cause breaking up of water supplied thereto into a finely divided spray travelling at high velocity, andmeans spaced along the length of said compartment providing for supplying rinsing fluid directly to said blades in limited unit quantity along the extent thereof. 1

3. A washing machine of the character described comprising a washing chamber having a side wall and a base and adapted to contain a quantity of washing fluid, a passageway located adjacent the lower portion of said side wall and having a plurality of apertures formed therein directed inwardly of the chamber, an impeller positioned in the lower part of said chamber with its axis substantially horizontal, means for introducing rinse water through said apertures directly into said impeller, and means for rotating said impeller to effect the distribution of said rinse water directly upon the interior of said chamber before contacting the bottom thereof.

4. In a dishwasher ofthe character described the combination with a washing chamber having rotary impellers and a centrally located inwardly extending recess adapted to house the drive means therefor, of rack means for supporting the articles to be washed comprising a framework fabricated of wire, said framework having stepped rack supports on one side for receiving plates and supporting the same substantially on edge, and having rack supports on the opposite side spaced a substantial distance apart for receiving deeper dishes and supporting the same substantially edgewise, both said rack supports extending substantially to the base of said chamber laterally beyond said recessed portion, said rack also hav ing a trough shaped portion located centrally above said recessed portion for receiving cutlery and the like.

5. In a dishwashing machine of the character described, a washing chamber, means for introducing wash water throughout said chamber in the form of upwardly and inwardly travelling fine sprays, and rack means for retaining the articles in washing relation with said fine sprays of .wash

thereto provided, to an operative position overlying and preventing access to said articles on that side of the rack for retaining and holding hollow ware in an inverted position inclined in the direction of the upwardly traveling wash water sprays.

6. A washing device of the character described comprising a washing chamber adapted to hold a quantity of washing liquid and articles to be washed, a rotary impeller shaft for effecting the introduction of the washing liquid uponv the articles, motive means for driving said shaft for washing purposes, a discharge outlet positioned in said chamber and means for additionally washing articles, utensils, and the like, comprising rotary, brush means positioned in proximity to said discharge outlet for use in washing said articles with water received from said discharge outlet, and speed reduction means providing for the driving of said brush means through said imtending over and forming substantially the entire lower surface thereof, an elongated rotary impeller extending'substantially throughout the length of said chamber andhaving a plurality of blades spaced around the periphery thereof,

- means for mounting said impeller in said cham- 1 her with the blades in their lowermost position extending adjacent and terminating'above said bottom wall and dipping into a small part\ of the body of fluid on said bottom wall substan tially uniformly along their entire longitudinal extent providing for picking up a regulated thin film of fluid upon each one thereof, a curved member on said bottom wall and projecting upwardly thereabove on the discharge side of said form depth throughout substantially the entire longitudinal extent of said impeller, the location and arrangement of said impeller and said botimpeller at high speed to'cause discharge of said blades and closely adjacent the outer edges thereof to substantially prevent back flow of collected water into the blades on the discharge side thereof, the upper curved portion of said member terminating so as not tooverlie the blades providing for free upward discharge of the fluid therefrom and means for rotating said impeller at a speed above a critical high speed to cause the discharging of said substantially uniform thin film of washing fluid on said bladesin the form of a finely divided spray of uniformly low mass and high penetrating power over the entire interior of the container.

thin fllms of fluid from said blades in the form of finely divided sprays of uniformly low mass and high penetrating power into and upon the articles within the chamber, said fluid after discharge upon the articles being collected in said 8. A washing machine of the character fdescribed comprising a washing chamber adapted to contain a body of washing fluid and to receive the articles to be washed, said washing chamber having a substantially plane bottom wall upon which the washing fluidand particles washed from the article collects as a pool, an elongated rotary impeller extending longitudinally of the chamber and having a plurality of blades thereon spaced around the periphery thereof,- means for mounting said impeller in said chamber substantially parallel with the surface of said pool and with the blades in their lowermost position in use dipping uniformly into said pool and ,providing for picking up thin fllms of washing' fluld thereon primarily from the downwardly, moving side thereof, a curved member projecting upwardly above said bottom wall on the upwardly moving side of said blades and ex-' tending closely adjacent the outer edges thereof to substantially prevent back flow of collected water into the blades on the discharge side thereof, and means for rotating said impeller at high speed to cause discha ge of said thin films of'fluid from said blades in the form of flnely divided sprays of uniformly low mass and high penetrating power into and .upon the" articles within the chamber, said fluid after discharge upon the articles being collected in said pool and supplied to said blades as a relatively slow moving stream on the downwardly moving side thereof for continuous recirculation thereby leaving the washed all particles 'upon said bottom wall.

9. A washing machine of the character described comprising a washing chamber adapted to contain a body of washing fluid, said washing chamber having a substantially plane bottom wall extending over the lower surface thereof, ,upon which the washing fluid collects as a dominant pool, an elongated rotary impeller extending longitudinally of the chamber and having a plurality of blades thereon, means for mounting said impeller in said chamber above and substantially parallel with the surface of said pool and with the blades in their lowermost position dipping uniformly into said pool and picking up a thin film of washing fluid thereon of unipool and supplied to said blades for continuous recirculation thereby,

l0. Awashing machine of the character described comprising a washing chamber adapted to contain'a body of washing fluid, said washing chamber having a bottom wall extending over the lower surface thereof upon which the washing fluid collects as a pool-of relatively large area, an elongated rotary impeller extending longitudinally of the chamber and having a plurality of blades thereon, means for mounting said impeller in said chamber above and substantially parallel with the surface of said pool and-with the-blades in their lowermost position standing above said bottom wall and dipping uniformly into a small part of said pool and picking up a thin film ofwashing fluid thereon of uniform depth throughout substantially the entire longitudinal extent of said'impeilenthe blades on said I impeller being arranged with their surfaces progressively offset 'along the longitudinal extent thereof in a spiral manner to cause substantially continuous introduction thereof into the body of washing fluid with an even operation of said impeller, a curved member projecting upwardly above said bottom wall on the upwardly moving side of said blades, and extending closely adjacent the outer edges thereof to substantially prevent back flow of collected water into the blades on discharge side thereof, and means for rotating said impeller at high speed to cause discharge v of said thin fllms of fluid from said blades in the the articles withinthechamber, said fluid after discharge upon the articles being collected in said popl and supplied to said blades for continuous recirculation thereby.

'11. The method of washing dishes and the like in a washing chamber provided with a rotating member extending along substantially the longitudinal dimension of the washing chamber and having. a plurality of blades thereon distributed around the periphery thereof which comprises the steps of supplying a limited sub stantially uniformly distributed quantity of water from a small section of a large collecting pool on the bottom of said washing chamber by substantially lateral flow under the head established by such pool into contact with the surface ofsaid blades as a film uniformly distributed on the blades along the length of said member, and rotating said blades in excess of a critical speed such as to cause discharge of said thin" fllm of water upwardly in the form of flnely divided sprays of washing water travelling at high velocity and of low mass, to be thrown upwardly upon the dishes along substantially the entire length of said chamber in effective washing relation with the dishes therein, and collecting the washing water and particles removed.

from the dishes and flowing the same out of direct contact with the blades on the discharge side thereof and into said pool.

- 12. A washing machine for washing dishes and the like comprising a washing chamberadapted to receive washing fluid, means for supporting articles within said washing chamber to be washed therein, said chamber having a fluid collecting area extending over substantially the longitudinal dimension thereof in which the 'washing fluid is collected as a pool, an elongated impeller having its axis generally horizontal and positioned above said collecting area, a plurality of blades around the periphery of said impeller having a small projected area in proportion to the area of said pool and terminating at their lowermost position above the level of said fluid collecting area, said blades dipping within the fluid in said collecting pool to a substantially uniform depth along the longitudinal extent thereof, means for limiting. the quantity of fluid supplied to the surface of said blades so that said blades each pick up a uniform thin fllm of washing fluid thereon by slow substantially lateral movement of the fluid from said pool, and means for rotating said impeller to cause rotation of said blades at a peripheral speed of above approximately 890 feet per minute to secure discharge of the limited quantity of water from each part of the blade upwardly in the form of finely divided sprays of high velocity and low mass into efiective washing relation with the articles and to limit the quantity of fluid supplied tb each of said blades by said lateral flow from the pool.

13. A washing machine of the character described comprising a washing chamber adapted to receive washing fluid, means for supporting articles within said chamber to be washed, an elongated impeller having its axis generally horizontal and generally commensurate in length with the longitudinal extent of said washing chamber, said impeller having a plurality of blades thereon approaching the lowermost portion of said chamber to provide for picking up washing fluid on the surfaces thereof, means for rotating said impeller at high speed to cause water picked up by said blades along the longi: tudinal'extent thereof to be thrown upwardly in the form of flnely divided sprays into and upon the articles supported within said chamber,

Y means for discharging wash water from said washing chamber following the washing operation, and means for thereafter feeding fresh rinse water directly into said impeller blades along the longitudinal extent thereof above the level of said lowermost portion of the chamber to be thrown upwardly in the form of said finely divided sprays for rinsing purposes prior to collecting in saidgchamber.

14. in a washing machine of the character described the combination with a generally rectangular washing chamber having longitudinally extending means for projecting sprays of wash- 'ing fluid upwardly along the length thereof of rack means positioned within said chamber comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending steps located on one side of the washing chamber and extending above one another in stepped relation for receiving flat dishes therein and supporting the same substantially edgewise and in parallel relation to be subjected to the washing action of said sprays, a plurality of supporting steps for deeper dishes or bowls arranged in stepped relation on the other side of said .washing chamber, means for receiving silverware located generally centrally between said groups of steps, and means for supporting glasses or cups in a generally inverted position above the level of the supporting surface for the silverware and in the upper part of said washing chamber.

l5. In a washing machine of the character described the combination with a washing cham-; ber having longitudinally extending rotary impellers for projecting flnely divided sprays of washing fluid upwardly therein of rack means positioned within said chamber for supporting articles to be washed so as to subject such articles to the action of said flnely divided sprays comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending steps located on one side of the washing chamber. and extending above one another in stepped relation for receiving flat dishes therein and supportingthe same substantially edgewise in position having the planes thereof substantially parallel with the axis of said longitudinally extending impellers to be uniformly subjected to the action of the washing sprays therefrom, a plurality of supporting steps for deeper dishes or bowls arranged in stepped relation on the other side of said washing chambenmeans for receiving silverware located generally centrally between said groups of steps, and means for supporting glasses or cups in a generally inverted position inclined with respect to the vertical and located above said steps and in the upper part of' said washing chamber. 16. In a washing machine of the character described the combination with a washing chamber havingmeans for projecting sprays of washing fluid therein of unitary rack means positioned within said chamber comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending steps located on one side of the washing chamber and extending above one another in stepped relation forming com-- partments for receiving flat dishes. therein and supporting the same substantially edgewise, a

plurality of supporting steps for deeper dishes handling.

17. A washing machine for washing dishes and the like comprising a washing chamber adapted to contain a quantity of washing fluid, means for supporting articles to be washed in said chamber, said chamber having a collecting area extending over substantially the longitudinal dimension thereof in which said washing fluid collects as a pool. impeller means effective along or above provide a working face of limited depth adapted to dip within, a small section of the fluid within said collecting pool to a sub- 7 stantially uniform depth to provide for picking up a limited quantity of fluid on the face thereof by lateral flow of fluid thereinto, and means'for rotating said impeller at speeds of the order of 1700 to 2200 R. P. M. and above, the radial -dimension of the impeller blades and the speed of rotation thereof being coordinated with thenumber of blades to provide for the flow of only a small part of the contents of said pool into the face of each blade and to effect travel of the the quantity of fluid picked up by each blade to provide for only a limited quantity on the face blades in excess of a critical rate of. speed such as to secure discharge of the limited quantity of water from each part ofthe blades upwardly in the form of flnely divided sprays of high velocity and low mass substantially throughout the longitudinal extent of said chamber into effective washing relation with the articles in said chamber.

18. A'washing machine for washing dishes and the like comprising a washing chamber adapted to contain a quantity of washing fluid, means for supporting articles to be washed in said chamber, said chamber having a collecting area extending over substantially the longitudinal dimension thereof in which said washing fluid collected as a pool, impeller means effective along the longitudinal extent of said washing chamber with the axis thereof generally horizontal and positioned thereof by lateral flow of fluid thereinto, and

means for rotating said impeller at speeds of the order of 1700 to 2200 R. P. M. and above, the radial dimension of the impeller blades and the speed of rotation thereof being coordinated with the number of blades to provide for the flow of only a small part of the contents of said pool into the face of each blade and to eifect travel of the blades in excess of a critical rate of speed such f as to secure discharge of the limited quantity of water from each part of the blades upwardly in the form of finely divided sprays of 'high velocity and low mass, said sprays being discharged from the blades in diverging paths along the longi-' tudinal extent of the washing chamber and over an arc to secure substantally complete and-uniform distribution thereof to the entire interior of aothe washing chamber. 7 a GORDON ELLIS STOCKHAM. 

